WWE fans to be turned away at the polls

starfox64 · Sat, 23rd Oct '10, 12:51pm

Here's WWE's press release. I actually can't find anything on the Internets on Connecticut Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz barring fans from polling stations. It could just be a wrestling storyline or a poor stunt to get fans to the voting booths.

Apparently, a law in the state prevents any kind of political advertising within 75 feet of voting polls, and according to sources, since Linda McMahon is so closely affiliated with WWE, any form of WWE merchandise would be considered as political advertising.

Anyway, for backstory, Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, is currently the Republican nominee in the 2010 race for U.S. Senator from Connecticut. She's distanced herself from WWE during her campaign even though the media and other candidates like to keep bringing it (and all the stupid wrestling storylines, wrestlers' drug problems, injuries, and every other ugly thing associated with wrestling) to the front. Recently, WWE programming started running an ad on television and at live events, "Stand Up for WWE".

In the end, we all know that laws will be broken, if they're not already. I can't imagine fans being turned away from the polls for showing up in a Stone Cold Steve Austin shirt though.

NOG (No Other Gods) · Sat, 23rd Oct '10, 4:21pm

Here's more on the story. Yes, this is perfectly legitimate, and people are over-reacting. I also read a story recently about a Texas woman being turned away from early voting for wearing an Obama T-shirt. Obama is the figurehead of the Democratic party, so his image is considered an endorsement of the Dems. Likewise, since one of the Republican candidates was the (very public) CEO of WWE, WWE merchandise is considered an endorsement of her.

The Great Snook · Sat, 23rd Oct '10, 5:14pm

Kind of makes you wonder where Pennslyvania's Secretary of State was during the "New Black Panther" incident?

Aldeth the Foppish Idiot · Mon, 25th Oct '10, 4:58pm

Whether or not they are turned away will have very little impact on the results IMO. I cannot recall the name of the Democratic candidate, but Linda McMahon trails her by a significant margin. Connecticut doesn't appear anywhere on the Republicans' much heralded "path to 51" in the quest to take over a Senate Majority. (Incidently, I'm standing by my prediciton I made months ago - I think the probability of R's taking over the House is high, and the probability of them taking over the Senate is low.

EDIT: Found this on, where else? fivethiryeight:

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivethirtyeight

Connecticut’s Linda McMahon, the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, stalled out in the polls against Richard Blumenthal a few weeks ago after having gained significant ground on him during the summer months. She trails by double digits in most surveys of the state and now appears bound to lose.

starfox64 · Wed, 27th Oct '10, 3:55am

Quote:

On behalf of myself, my company, WWE fans and any Connecticut citizen who wants to exercise their constitutional right to vote, I have filed a lawsuit today asserting that Susan Bysiewicz’s directive that allows poll workers to refuse registered voters wearing WWE merchandise the right to vote is a flagrant act of censorship and discrimination

Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO, World Wrestling Entertainment's latest press release.

Breaking News:

Quote:

The moment Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz issued an un-American, unconstitutional and discriminatory directive prohibiting voters from wearing WWE merchandise at the polls, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal should have immediately stepped in to enforce the law. As a result of the Attorney General’s inaction, I brought suit to enforce these basic, fundamental constitutional rights. Within hours of filing the lawsuit, Blumenthal recused himself, and Bysiewicz reversed her position and immediately notified all Local Registrar of Voters and Town Clerks via email. I am pleased that Connecticut voters have had their freedom of expression and their right to vote restored.

Break out your Stone Cold Steve Austin shirts and go vote.

The Shaman · Wed, 27th Oct '10, 11:04am

If I was living there and could vote, I'd want to do it in a RoH or UFC T-shirt, just for the joke.

NOG (No Other Gods) · Wed, 27th Oct '10, 1:43pm

Odd. I thought they had real grounds, but as quickly as they folded, it sounds like this actually may have been a political stunt all along.

starfox64 · Mon, 8th Nov '10, 1:11pm

Linda McMahon lost anyway. End of story.

Sat, 23rd Oct '10, 12:51pm	#1
starfox64 Gems: 12/31 Latest gem: Moonstone Contra Champion! LOTR: The Hidden Ring Champion! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 466 Like: 2 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 1,467 Level: 12 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 96.67% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	WWE fans to be turned away at the polls Here's WWE's press release. I actually can't find anything on the Internets on Connecticut Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz barring fans from polling stations. It could just be a wrestling storyline or a poor stunt to get fans to the voting booths. Apparently, a law in the state prevents any kind of political advertising within 75 feet of voting polls, and according to sources, since Linda McMahon is so closely affiliated with WWE, any form of WWE merchandise would be considered as political advertising. Anyway, for backstory, Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, is currently the Republican nominee in the 2010 race for U.S. Senator from Connecticut. She's distanced herself from WWE during her campaign even though the media and other candidates like to keep bringing it (and all the stupid wrestling storylines, wrestlers' drug problems, injuries, and every other ugly thing associated with wrestling) to the front. Recently, WWE programming started running an ad on television and at live events, "Stand Up for WWE". In the end, we all know that laws will be broken, if they're not already. I can't imagine fans being turned away from the polls for showing up in a Stone Cold Steve Austin shirt though.
	Last edited by starfox64; Sat, 23rd Oct '10 at 2:09pm. Reason: more info

Sat, 23rd Oct '10, 4:21pm	#2
NOG (No Other Gods) Going to church doesn't make you a Christian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,883 Like: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post vBActivity - Stats XP: 11,729 Level: 31 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 90.26% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	Here's more on the story. Yes, this is perfectly legitimate, and people are over-reacting. I also read a story recently about a Texas woman being turned away from early voting for wearing an Obama T-shirt. Obama is the figurehead of the Democratic party, so his image is considered an endorsement of the Dems. Likewise, since one of the Republican candidates was the (very public) CEO of WWE, WWE merchandise is considered an endorsement of her.
	__________________ "He is a fool who would trade happiness for freedom, or freedom for peace."

Sat, 23rd Oct '10, 5:14pm	#3
The Great Snook Gems: 30/31 Latest gem: King's Tears Join Date: May 2003 Location: West of Boston MA Posts: 3,625 Blog Entries: 15 Like: 19 Liked 42 Times in 26 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 11,280 Level: 31 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 37.89% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 15.29% Monthly Activity 57.85% Achievements	Kind of makes you wonder where Pennslyvania's Secretary of State was during the "New Black Panther" incident?
	__________________ You are the king of cop-outs. - Anon

Wed, 27th Oct '10, 1:43pm	#7
NOG (No Other Gods) Going to church doesn't make you a Christian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,883 Like: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post vBActivity - Stats XP: 11,729 Level: 31 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 90.26% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	Odd. I thought they had real grounds, but as quickly as they folded, it sounds like this actually may have been a political stunt all along.
	__________________ "He is a fool who would trade happiness for freedom, or freedom for peace."

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Wed, 27th Oct '10, 11:04am	#6
The Shaman Gems: 28/31 Latest gem: Star Sapphire Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Posts: 2,833 Blog Entries: 6 Like: 5 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 6,997 Level: 25 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 60.81% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	If I was living there and could vote, I'd want to do it in a RoH or UFC T-shirt, just for the joke.

Mon, 8th Nov '10, 1:11pm	#8
starfox64 Gems: 12/31 Latest gem: Moonstone Contra Champion! LOTR: The Hidden Ring Champion! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 466 Like: 2 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 1,467 Level: 12 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 96.67% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	Linda McMahon lost anyway. End of story.